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COBOL Tutorial

COBOL VAL-UPDATE - Quick Reference

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Overview

VAL-UPDATE is a COBOL feature that allows updating validation rules, data values, and validation status during the validation process. It provides dynamic modification capabilities within validation contexts, enabling flexible validation workflows.

Key Features

  • Dynamic rule updates - Modify validation rules during processing
  • Data value updates - Update data values during validation
  • Status updates - Update validation status and results
  • Context integration - Integrates with validation workflows

Syntax and Usage

VAL-UPDATE usage patterns and update operations for different validation scenarios.

Basic VAL-UPDATE Usage

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. VAL-UPDATE-EXAMPLE.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  CUSTOMER-DATA.
           05  CUSTOMER-AGE     PIC 9(3) VALUE 25.
           05  CUSTOMER-NAME    PIC X(30) VALUE "JOHN DOE".
       01  VALIDATE-STATUS  PIC 9(2) VALUE 0.
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           VALIDATE CUSTOMER-AGE
           IF VALIDATE-STATUS NOT = 00
               VAL-UPDATE CUSTOMER-AGE TO 18
               VALIDATE CUSTOMER-AGE
           END-IF
           
           VALIDATE CUSTOMER-NAME
           IF VALIDATE-STATUS NOT = 00
               VAL-UPDATE CUSTOMER-NAME TO "UNKNOWN"
               VALIDATE CUSTOMER-NAME
           END-IF
           
           STOP RUN.

Basic usage of VAL-UPDATE to modify data values during validation.

VAL-UPDATE with Rule Modification

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. VAL-UPDATE-RULES.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  VALIDATION-RULES.
           05  MIN-AGE         PIC 9(3) VALUE 18.
           05  MAX-AGE         PIC 9(3) VALUE 65.
           05  REQUIRED-FIELDS PIC X(10) VALUE "NAME,AGE".
       01  CUSTOMER-AGE     PIC 9(3) VALUE 25.
       01  VALIDATE-STATUS  PIC 9(2) VALUE 0.
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           * Update validation rules based on business logic
           IF CUSTOMER-AGE < 18
               VAL-UPDATE MIN-AGE TO 16
               VAL-UPDATE MAX-AGE TO 70
           END-IF
           
           VALIDATE CUSTOMER-AGE
           STOP RUN.

Using VAL-UPDATE to modify validation rules based on business conditions.

VAL-UPDATE with Status Updates

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       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. VAL-UPDATE-STATUS.
       DATA DIVISION.
       WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
       01  VALIDATION-RESULTS.
           05  OVERALL-STATUS  PIC X(10) VALUE "PENDING".
           05  ERROR-COUNT     PIC 9(2) VALUE 0.
           05  WARNING-COUNT   PIC 9(2) VALUE 0.
       01  CUSTOMER-DATA     PIC X(50) VALUE "TEST DATA".
       01  VALIDATE-STATUS   PIC 9(2) VALUE 0.
       
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           VALIDATE CUSTOMER-DATA
           IF VALIDATE-STATUS = 00
               VAL-UPDATE OVERALL-STATUS TO "SUCCESS"
           ELSE
               VAL-UPDATE OVERALL-STATUS TO "FAILED"
               ADD 1 TO ERROR-COUNT
           END-IF
           
           DISPLAY "Validation Status: " OVERALL-STATUS
           DISPLAY "Error Count: " ERROR-COUNT
           STOP RUN.

Using VAL-UPDATE to maintain validation status and result tracking.

Update Types

Data Updates

Update data values during validation.

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VAL-UPDATE data-item TO new-value

Rule Updates

Update validation rules and criteria.

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VAL-UPDATE rule-item TO new-rule

Status Updates

Update validation status and results.

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VAL-UPDATE status-item TO new-status

Configuration Updates

Update validation configuration.

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VAL-UPDATE config-item TO new-config

Best Practices

  • Use judiciously - Only update when necessary for validation logic
  • Maintain consistency - Ensure updates are consistent with business rules
  • Document changes - Document when and why updates are made
  • Test thoroughly - Test update scenarios to ensure correctness
  • Consider performance - Avoid excessive updates that may impact performance

VAL-UPDATE Quick Reference

Update TypeSyntaxUse Case
Data UpdateVAL-UPDATE item TO valueModify data during validation
Rule UpdateVAL-UPDATE rule TO new-ruleChange validation criteria
Status UpdateVAL-UPDATE status TO new-statusUpdate validation results
Conditional UpdateIF condition VAL-UPDATE item TO valueConditional modifications

Test Your Knowledge

1. What is the primary purpose of VAL-UPDATE in COBOL?

  • To update validation rules and criteria
  • To modify data during validation
  • To update validation status
  • All of the above

2. When is VAL-UPDATE typically used?

  • Before validation occurs
  • During validation processing
  • After validation completes
  • All of the above depending on the scenario

3. What can VAL-UPDATE modify during validation?

  • Only validation rules
  • Only data values
  • Both validation rules and data values
  • Only validation status

4. How does VAL-UPDATE differ from regular UPDATE operations?

  • It only works with validation contexts
  • It provides validation-specific update capabilities
  • It integrates with validation workflows
  • All of the above

5. What is a common use case for VAL-UPDATE?

  • Dynamic validation rule modification
  • Data correction during validation
  • Validation status updates
  • All of the above

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Concepts

VALIDATE

Data validation statement.

VALIDATE-STATUS

Validation status checking.

Data Validation

Comprehensive data validation techniques.

Data Manipulation

Data modification and manipulation.

Dynamic Programming

Dynamic program behavior.

VAL-NOTIFYVALUE